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Had a great conversation with Raleigh at SCCA

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Ludachris

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I've been talking with with a couple people over at SCCA about ways we can work with them to bring more awareness to stuff they're doing and vice versa. Had a great call with Raleigh Boreen, the driving force behind the wildly popular CAM Challenge Series. He's really excited to work with us and share some of their resources to help with what we're doing here.

I look forward to helping educate our newcomers a little more on what the CAM series, how accessible it is, where these events are taking place, and why the Mustang is such a good fit in the series. In return, the SCCA plans to shed some light on what we're doing here on TMO with their members. We hope to see some of their Mustang competitors making their way in here to participate. I know I'm not the only one who enjoys seeing new Member Car profiles getting created here, as well as the great technical knowledge being shared in the discussions here, where the information can be archived and easily referenced later.

If anyone would like to contribute to an "intro" guide style article for CAM, let me know. I plan to start piecing one together here soon.

More to come...
 

Dave_W

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Calling @DaveW, @drj2k1, and @Bill Pemberton for the CAM intro. I've done my brain dump below.

I can see the tie-in between CAM and Mustangs in autocross. Did you discuss more track-oriented SCCA activites, like Time Trials and Track Night in America? I'd think TMO members would be interested in those as well, and the TMO family can help newcomers in those venues who have Mustangs on setup tips.

SCCA CAM rules are at https://www.scca.com/downloads/52793-2021-cam-handout/download which is available on the Autocross Rules page https://www.scca.com/pages/solo-cars-and-rules

CAM (Classic American Muscle) is basically a set of run-what-you-brung classes for licensed, insured, street-legal "American muscle" cars & some pickups on 200 treadwear tires (pickups need to at least meet the SCCA track/height rule for rollover evaulation). CAM is divided into CAM-T (traditional), CAM-C (contemporary), and CAM-S (sports). Generally, CAM-S is for 2-seaters (Corvette); -T and -C are for 4-seaters (Mustang, Camaro, Challenger, Javelin). The years of 1948-2000 are used for the car platform design / first sales year (not model year of the actual entrant's car) to place the vehicle in CAM-T vs CAM-C. So a 2003 Mustang actually runs CAM-T because the SN95 platform debuted in 1994. There are weight minimums for each class, and being underwieght in CAM-T or -C can move you into CAM-S.

Of note to TMO folks - interiors need to "have a finished look" and non-factory wings are not allowed.
 
The best thing I can say about the CAM Challenge events is that they are the least SCCA SCCA events you can go to. :) They are just great fun and full of cool cars.

Raleigh and his team do a very good job of combining the strength of the SCCA autocross program with the fun of a Optima/Goodguys type event and also tamping down the SRS BZNS SCCA types you will see at non CAM SCCA events.

DaveW
 

Bill Pemberton

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Agree with Dave and Dave and the CAM Series and the Class has a laid back, hang with your buddies feel that is reminiscent to the days of the crazy C Prepared folks ( some will say they are still crazy , ha). With so many here making fun little mods , even a camber plate will throw you out of the stock ( Street ) Class, CAM has been a fun place to go as well as to start auto crossing. You may just be lightly modded now , but this is a Class that gives you room to grow ( if you wish ) and everyone is super helpful. It also enables many to be creative with their cars and there are some unique upgrades with some folks. I tend to recommend newcomers gravitate to CAM, because many have already made a minor change that kicks them out of the Street Class and the friendly wacko drivers in CAM are super willing to help!!

C.A.M.
Camaraderie Autocross Motorsports
 

Bill Pemberton

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Not sure, but when factory items were only allowed , SCCA often allowed updating and backdating within various models of a car. Be interesting to hear more from Dave_W.
 
Having played around in SCCA street classes at a fairly competitive level for the past few years, I can say that CAM is a pretty special place

Reflecting on my first year of running CAM-C, a few words come to mind: Diversity, inclusivity and Camaraderie

Although the beauty of autocross lies in the fact you can have fun on any given weekend driving ANY car, SCCA classing and rules can sometimes be discouraging. In many SCCA autocross classes (especially street) where more often than not 1 or 2 models exclusively dominate the field. This can be a turn off to enthusiasts who have the “wrong car” or “wrong modifications” and cant really compete at a higher level in their traditionally designated scca class.

What makes CAM unique is that it is the exact opposite… it’s Inclusive. A place to run what you brung and have the opportunity to actually be competitive. This in turn creates an environment that promotes more diversity of participation, you never know what you’ll see on any given day in CAM!

With thoughtful modifications (cough*big tires*cough @Bill Pemberton) and competent driving any car can be decently quick. Regarding the ponies we all love, in CAM there are fast mustangs from many gens (fox’s, sn95, s197, s550, etc). The best part is they can be fairly successful in CAM regardless of powertrain: 4.6, 5.0, ecoboost, 3.7 ;) or even LS!

Finally, anyone who’s been around the SCCA and tour events can tell you that autocrossers are some of the friendliest and most accepting people in the realm of motorsports. This year in CAM, I’ve developed more relationships and received support within the community ranging from conversations with TMO members, meeting fellow competitors, getting sponsorships/assistance from motorsports vendors, etc

I’ll certainly be back for more next season and look forward to the experiences as we try to take things to the next level with our CAM effort

-J
 
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Bill Pemberton

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So DaveW will they allow updating and backdating of OEM wings for a model or at least with those have the same body shape ( say for all S197s for instance)?
 

Dave_W

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The actual text in the CAM rules supplement (also Appendix B in the 2021 Solo Rules) is:
• Rear spoiler may be added, but may extend no more than 10.0” from the original body nor past the perimeter of the body. No rear wings may be added except OE or equivalent.
From general reading of the rules, I'd say "OE" (original equipment) means it could have been on the year and model of the car as ordered from the manufacturer and delivered by the dealer (not including dealer options), i.e., equivalent to "standard part" from the chapter 12 list of definitions:
standard part An item of standard or optional equipment that could have been ordered with the car and delivered through a dealer in the United States. Manufacturer options that are dealer-installed, port-installed, or parts provided by the manufacturer are considered to be the same as those installed on the factory production line. Manufacturer options which are dealer-installed must be specifically listed in Appendix A in order to be eligible. Dealer options, accessories, or deletions (except as required by factory directives), no matter how common or what their origin, are not included in this definition. This definition does not allow the updating or backdating of parts.
But that's just my interpretation, and I typically err on the side of conservative application of allowances.

Then again, I'm also a rules weenie, so while CAM doesn't specifically allow update/backdate across years of the same model, this allowance on body panels & frame:
Body panels may be modified or replaced in the original standard locations. Frame may be modified or replaced.
plus suspension and drivetrain being pretty much open, would seem to allow you to "declare" that your specific car is any year & package/option combination available for your platform. Have a 2007 V6 Mustang and want to use a 2012-13 Boss LS wing? Declare that you're entering a 2012 Boss LS, and that you've used the CAM allowances to replace all the items except the rear wing with parts from a 2007 V6 mustang. 🙈 :hellyeah:
 
So DaveW will they allow updating and backdating of OEM wings for a model or at least with those have the same body shape ( say for all S197s for instance)

No idea where they are at with this. I know several people were bending Raleigh's ear/trying to push it (S550 cars running GT500 wings) and were running with them.

Despite my earlier statement, I think Dave_W's interpretation is probably correct, currently. Raleigh can change it over the off season if he sees fit, so he is probably the one to ask.

I personally wish they would allow some sort of wing (non OEM) in CAM so I could try a 72" GT1 wing on my "CP package" and run it in both classes :)

DaveW
 

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